Ski pole grip and ring



May 29, 1934. 1 3 1,961,099

SKI POLE GR'IP AND RING Filed Feb. 8, 1953 2 9 7 7 'HI 1| I 10 Q I Jjzhn Bilickgon Y Patented May 29, 19 34 PATENT: OFFICE {UNITED STATES A. G. Spalding & Bros., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New- Jersey Application February 8,

14 Claims.

This invention relates to ski poles and more particularly to a ski pole having a detachable wheel and handle.

An object of the invention is to provide a 6 wheel which may be molded as a unit.

Another object is the P ovision of a wheel which may be made of rubber to accommodate itself to the ground and free itself of accumulated snow or ice.

Another object is the provision of a wheel having curved spoke sections to permit a limited displacement of hub without stressing the spokes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a detachable connection between the wheel and the ski pole.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a handle which is readily removable from the ski pole.

A still further object is the provision of a two- 20 piece handle, the parts of which are replaceable.

Other objects will hereinafter appear.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is an axial section through the handle and wheel of this invention, as applied to a ski pole, part of the pole being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1 showing the handle alone.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the wheel removed from the device.

The tapered tubular metal ski pole 5, which is shown in the drawing, is representative of any lightweight, yet strong, shaft, which is usually used for this purpose. It may be formed with a sharp point 6 at the smaller end to increase its piercing effect. When such a metal shaft is employed it may advantageously be made of hardened and tempered steel.

The Wheel, according to this invention, is intended to be secured to the ski pole adjacent the sharp pointed end 6, and, generally considered, comprises a hub portion 7 and a disk portion 8, which is preferably apertured to increase 5 the flexibility. Normally, the axis of, the hub portion is at the center of, and perpendicular to, the plane of the disk portion.

It is an important feature of this invention that the apertured disk and hub portions be of rubber, and that they be integrally formed. One advantage of this lies in the fact that this entire rubber construction may be molded or formed as a unit, and therefore may be made complete at one time. Rubber is particularly desirable as the material since it readily lends itself to mold- 1933, Serial No. 655.843

ing in this manner, and, in addition, is highly resistant to water and to wear. Its resilient action tends to free it of snow and ice which accumulate on it because the stretching of the rubber breaks loose such surface coatings.

The hub portion of the wheel indicated by 7 includes a rubber tubular shaped exterior 9 which is preferably internally faced with a tubular metal element 10, to which it is vulcanized. The internal bore of this reinforcing element 10 should have the same taper as the ski pole to which it is to be secured. It is intended that this metal sleeve forming a part of the complete wheel shall be forced over the smaller end of the ski pole until the coacting tapered surfaces have a. driving fit. In view of the slight taper of these parts, it will be seen that they can be wedged tightly together and will resist separation under severe usage.

The connection between the ski pole and the wheel has several advantages. The ski pole remains intact since perforations, as when using retaining pins, are dispensed with. Ordinary usage of the device tends to drive it tighter onto the pole. However, it may readily be removed by a sharp blow when replacement either of the wheel or of a ski-pole is desired. Further, no tools are required to make this change, and the device thus lends itself to replacement in the field.

The disk 8, which is here shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, has been so apertured as to leave a double concentric ring and connecting spoke formation. That is, the disk may be considered as being made up of the outer ring 11, the inner concentric ring 12, and the spokes having outer sections 13 connecting the rings, and the inner sections 14 connecting the inner ring 12 and the hub. As has been stated, these rubber parts are integral. To strengthen the periphery of the disk and increase its resistance to distortion, 2. metal band 15 may be molded within the outer ring.

A feature of the invention lies in making the inner sections 14 of the spokes longer than necessary to bridge the shortest distance between the inner ring and the hub. That is, when the parts are in normal position, these sections must assume a curved formation, such, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. This permits a limited displacement of the hub in any manner, either laterally, longitudinally, or angularly, without imposing stress upon these spoke sections. When the device is used on an uneven surface, this allows the wheel to better accommodate itself to the surface about the inserted point 6, and therefore to obtain a better grip before resisting further movement.

It has been pointed out that the spokes and inner ring are a part of the entire rubber wheel. The use of rubber for these parts has, in addition to those features already pointed out, the advantage that they will readily yield so as to conform to an uneven surface. Thus, if a hump appears beneath a spoke, it will yield to assume a position over it without lifting or otherwise affecting the reminder of the wheel, and which will therefore closely grip the surface at all points.

The second feature of this invention relates to the improved construction of the handle indicated by 17. This comprises the grip member 19 and the wrist supporting strap 18, the two being readily separable for replacement or inspection.

The grip member comprises an elongated tubular portion 19 having an enlarged head 20 at one end. This head serves to close the adjacent end of the tubular portion 19 and also to close the end of the tubular ski pole 5. The central part of the head 20 has an annular groove 21 dividing the head into upper and lower spaced flanges 22 and 23 respectively. Preferably the grip member is made of rubber since it may be moulded as a complete unit at one time. In addition, rubber gives a proper gripping surface and its elasticity binds it securely to the ski pole without requiring cement. Thus it may be removed. and reapplied for shortening the pole or for replacement in a minimum of time.

The strap 18 is preferably made of leather to provide the necessary firmness for supporting the wrist and is apertured as at 24 at each end. These apertures have approximately the diameter of the base of the groove 21 and to permit this, the end portions of the strap may be enlarged as shown in Fig. 2. The apertured ends are both positioned within the groove by forcing them over the flange 22, thus forming a loop.

Among the advantages of this handle construction is the ease with which the strap and grip may be separated or connected. The apertured ends of the strap are readily passed over the yielding upper flange of the head and are as readily withdrawn. When in position, the flanges securely retain the strap from displacement. It is convenient for a user to carry an extra strap to replace a broken one, in view of the simplicity of the connection.

Reverting to the wheel; the material of which.

this is composed is vulcanized rubber of. about the quality of that used for tire treads. It is tough enough to stand severe usage, it will not be damaged by alternate wetting and drying, it will present a. yielding resilient bearing surface and as to its straps or spokes these, besides having the qualities above mentioned, possess flexibility and some degree of elasticity.

I claim:

1. A ski pole wheel comprising a tubular hub portion adapted to tightly receive a ski pole therein, a ring portion, and spoke portions connecting the hub and ring portions, the axis of the ring portion being substantially coincident with the axis of the hub portion, said spoke portions and the hub and ring portions being all of integral soft vulcanized rubber.

2. A ski pole wheel comprising a tubular hub portion adapted to tightly receive a ski pole therein. a pair of concentric ring portions, both of which are radially spaced from the hub the axis of said rings being normally coincident with the axis of the hub portion, and spoke portions connecting the hub portion with the ring portions, said spoke and ring portions and the hub portion being all of integral soft vulcanized rubber.

3. A ski pole wheel comprising a tubular hub portion adapted to tightly receive a ski pole therein, a pair of concentric ring portions, the axis of said rings being normally coincident with the axis of the hub portion, and spoke portions connecting the hub portion with the ring portions, said spoke and ring portions and the hub portion being all of integral soft vulcanized rubber, the sections of the spoke portions between the hub portion and the inner one of the ring portions being normally curved whereby a limited displacement of the hub portion with respect to the ring portions is permitted without stressing said sections of the spoke portions.

4. A ski pole wheel comprising a tubular hub portion adapted to tightly receive a ski pole therein, and an apertured disk portion normally lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hub portion and concentric therewith, said hub and disk portions being of integral soft vulcanized rubber.

5. A ski pole wheel comprising a tubular metal element adapted to tightly receive a ski pole therein, a hub portion vulcanized to the exterior of the metal element, and an apertured disk portion normally lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hub portion, said hub and disk portions being of integral soft vulcanized rubber.

6. A ski pole wheel comprising a hub for engagement with a ski pole, a ring lying in a plane normally perpendicular to the axis of the hub portion and substantially radially equidistant from it, and spokes connecting the hub to the ring, said spokes being of elastic, freely extensible non-metallic material whereby localized and general distortion of the wheel will be accommodated.

7. A ski pole wheel according to claim 6 in which the spokes and rim are of integral soft vulcanized rubber and said rim is provided with a reinforcing element.

8. A ski pole handle comprising an elongated tubular grip member adapted to tightly receive a ski pole therein and having an annular groove exterior thereof adjacent one end, and. a wrist supporting strap member having an aperture at both ends, said apertured ends being adapted to be snapped over the grip member to position that portion of said strap member defining each of said apertures within said annular groove, the walls of said groove retaining the strap in position.

9. A ski pole handle comprising an elongated tubular grip member adapted to tightly receive a ski pole therein, said grip member having a pair of closely spaced annular flanges exterior thereof and adjacent one end, and a wrist supporting strap member having an aperture at both ends, said apertured ends being adapted to be snapped over one of said flanges to position said apertured ends to receive that portion of the grip member between the annular flanges, said flanges retaining the strap in position.

10. A ski pole handle according to claim 9 in which the annular flanges are integral with the tubular grip member.

11. A ski pole handle comprising an elongated tubular grip member adapted to tightly receive a ski pole therein, one end of said grip member having a head of greater diameter than the diameter of the remaining grip motion with an external annular groove therein, and a detachable strap member having apertures at both ends, said apertured ends being adapted to be snapped over the grip member to position that portion of,

said strap member defining each of said apertures within said annular groove, the walls of said groove retaining the strap in place.

12. A ski pole handle according to claim 11 in which the enlarged head overlies and closes the adjacent end of the tubular grip member.

13. A ski pole wheel comprising a tubular hub portion adapted to tightly receive a ski pole therein, a ring portion, and spoke portions con- JOHN B. DICKSON.

III 

